DJH

Sandman Review with "How to Write a Review"

Revisado: 08-01-21

Full disclosure. I am a long-time Neil Gaiman fan, with all his books for adults and children, as well as his comics. So this review will be taking that into account and how this audio adaptation does or does not do what it sets out to accomplish. I will also answer some of the criticisms out there in what I hope is an objective manner.

First of all, it is important to stress that this Audible Original does exactly what it states it is doing - taking a long-running comic book and turning it into an episodic audio production. This is not the dramatization of a novel, but of a comic book series. Some have complained of how each chapter is introduced with a common intro; some have complained that it goes off onto odd tangents that take away from the general story arc. However, again, this is not a novel, but the dramatization of the first three volumes of a ten-volume set of collected comic books. For anyone who has read comic books, the episodic nature should be recognizable. Comic books tend to run in 4-issue or 6-issue story arcs, along with many side stories or one-off issues. So when the story at the end of this recording goes into a series of one-chapter stories that are only related by their inclusion of Morpheus, this is just what happens in a comic book series. For The Sandman, the first issues introduced the main character and setting, with later issues filling in other important characters as the mythology gets put in place. What I find enjoyable about this adaptation is how faithful it is keeping to the comic book series, following the sequence of the ten collected volumes. For those who wanted some sort of resolution at the end of the recording and were disappointed, it is important to note that these were not written as a trilogy or stand-alone novels. The Sandman's story ends after 75 issues, this audio play ends at issue #20. The main story through to completion is how Morpheus comes to terms with the poor/callous/selfish/entitled decisions of his past after his escape from imprisonment and how the 70 years of isolation changed him. This takes the full 75 issues, and rest assured that some characters that may have seemed to be just one-off, side-story characters come back with important roles later in the series, or deal with issues that Morpheus is dealing with internally (Nada's story being a good example).

I can see where some people might be annoyed by the musical introduction that begins each chapter, but for me it just goes into the whole comic book serial adaptation. As a fan of radio plays (and yes, I do listen to many US old-time radio and current BBC radio plays), this is fine for me. I didn't find it distracting, but my mind was already thinking in adaptations of individual comic books in a series, so it will come down to your listening preference. And yes, these are full-cast adaptations, and they were produced to be audio plays, not an audio book. Perhaps this should have been clearer in the description, but anytime I see "full-cast" in the write-up, I generally know what I'm getting is a dramatization, not a dramatic reading (ummmm.... and remember that you can always download a sample before buying....). Furthermore, the description on Audible alluded to the episodic nature when they put an episode by episode cast list on the description page. There is some hyperbole in the description, of course. Saying that it is a "twist" to have Gaiman narrate is a bit much, since he narrates a large amount of his audio books himself, especially his short fiction.

Some people have complained about the sex, violence, language etc. Did these people not see the disclaimer at the very beginning of the description? For the people who were surprised by this content, I also suppose they haven't read American Gods, Anansi Boys or a lot of his short fiction. There is a reason he is known as a horror writer, not just a writer of kid-friendly fantasy.

So does this audio play succeed? I believe it succeeds splendidly. It is immersive if you like radio plays. I didn't find the background noises distracting as in some books - so I appreciate the work the production team did. There was a little too much "harrumphing", but other than that it was fine. The cast was very good, with McAvoy being a very good Morpheus. Both he and Michael Sheen have worked on Gaiman adaptations before. I do think that Kat Dennings was a bit miscast as Death. I love her work in the Marvel Universe, but her voice is so distinct that it never feels like it gets in to character. She does a good job with it, but doesn't give the "sweet, goth girl who is there to compassionately take you to the afterlife" vibe. Admittedly, it's probably the hardest role to cast - a youthful playfulness with the maturity and emotional depth of someone who has existed since the beginning of time and knows she will be there when the last life passes from the universe.

It is a faithful adaptation, as I wrote above, so it doesn't shy away from the violence and gore. I was curious to see if the episode "24 hours" would be as graphic as the comic, and yes, yes it was. So heed the disclaimer.

That's what it comes down to in reviewing something, does it succeed in the story and performance. For story, it succeeds as a faithful audio adaptation of a comic. The story is well-written and creative. It succeeds in creating a mythology and the logic behind the mythology and the magic. It succeeds as being part of DC Comics canon, with the inclusion of other DC characters in the right places, making sense to the narrative. It succeeds as a horror comic for adults, with the horror and violence being an essential part of the narrative rather than just there for shock/shlock value. It succeeds in the performances and production. The voice cast was in general excellent, and the production choices made sense for an adaptation of a serialized story. If you like BBC radio productions, you will like this.

If you will forgive me, I'm going to add a little bit here at the end to address a few pet peeves I have with reviews, and how I think reviewing should be approached. So please stop and go enjoy a good book if you're not interested. As a long-time Audible member with 1344 titles in my library and 11 months, 7 days, 14 hours and 29 minutes of listening time up to today, I have read lots of reviews, and yes, I often use them to make my final choice of purchase. I myself don't write many reviews because I know I will probably (like this one) write too much - which makes me a boring reviewer. I tend to purchase books with average scores over 4 stars, but I usually read the negative reviews first. Anyway, here's some advice:

1) Don't review a book if it wasn't your "cup of tea", but if you do write a review, make sure you state why the story is in a genre that is your "cup of tea", even if it's poorly written and you give a poor review.

I really hate looking at 1-2 star reviews where the comment was "this isn't the type of story I like". Read the description and the positive reviews to see if the story and genre are what you tend to like. It's not the fault of the writer if you don't like the genre. You don't give "Hamlet" a bad review because you don't like tragedies, you would give it bad review if you felt the writing was poor and the characters unbelievable (I like "Hamlet" btw, though it's not my favorite of the Bard's plays). The most helpful reviews evaluate the work based on the genre and the quality of the writing, not on a personal preference for the "type" of story you like. I find this happens often when adults review young adult fiction or genre stories unawares, or like with The Sandman, not knowing it's a horror comic book and only the first three volumes.

2) Review it based on what it is attempting to do, not what you thought it should be.
If it's a horror story, was it able to scare you? If it's a love story, did you feel that the characters could get together? If it's a fantasy/sci-fi book, did it do well with the world building? And so on. Did the author do what he/she wanted to do, and with good writing? Did the narrator do a good job of bringing it to life? Were you engaged? Sometimes the story works, but the narrator doesn't fit. Sometimes a good narrator saves even the poorest written book (here's looking at you Tim Gerard Reynolds). So make sure you are clear on what the basis of your evaluation is.

Even if you hate part of the message of the book, evaluate it based on how well it accomplishes delivering its message. Some reviews just go off on a tirade on the author's politics. It annoys me when I see someone write "I didn't want to be preached to when I listen/read this - just tell me a story and keep your politics/values out of it." I find this more with the more conservative reviewers when they come across a left-leaning book, more than say when I see a left-leaning person reviewing a book with a conservative or strongly religious message; possible because conservative books tend to be more explicit in the descriptions so there usually isn't a "surprise" about the author's values. However, this is all ludicrous. Of course an author is going to add some of themselves into a work. When it should be knocked is when it's done poorly. So yes, some authors who are supportive of LGBTQ+ rights sometimes write the most stereotypical characters when trying to be inclusive. The same when adding characters who are ethnic minorities or trying to emphasize socio-economic or climate change issues. Some authors aren't good enough writers to handle this. Likewise, some conservative writers spend more time on writing poorly written snarky books attacking the left or unrealistic moral tales which no one can find examples of in the real world. So again, evaluate the book based on what the author was trying to do, and if you hate the message, just add a line here or there stating that the book leans this way or that way, rather than attacking it for doing so. If the reviews or descriptions were done well, then a person would know what they are getting themselves into. I will admit there are certain authors in my preferred genres I do not buy because I find their politics repulsive and their writing ability poor, but I don't listen to one of their books and then go on a review tirade about it, because if I were to listen to it it would have been by choice, since I know the politics beforehand.

3) If all you're going to do is say "I loved it", "I hated it", "This was amazing, buy it!", "This sucked and I am returning it" -- then just don't write anything. These tell us nothing. Just do the star ratings and leave it at that. But if you are compelled to write something, please at least write a paragraph of content to say WHY you loved or hated it. Maybe you loved the book because the main character kicks puppies and blows up a school bus for fun, and the author writes about it in a positive way - I wouldn't love that type of character, so what you love about it would actually deter me from buying it. Maybe you hate the book because the main character is strong in their faith and doesn't hide it or is gay or non-binary. Neither of these things bother me, so I might still read the book. Though, again, tell me if that puppy-kicking character is written well - I've read worse in the horror genre, or if the faith guy or gay characters are stereotypical and written poorly (God save me from another one-dimensional self-righteous, bigoted, misogynistic Bible-thumper character or a sassy gay-best-friend sidekick character who salivates whenever a "hot" new character is introduced - lets have some depth and nuance please).

So to summarize, just tell us if the work succeeded, was it written well, was the narration good and why. If it wasn't what you thought it would be - so be it. Ignore it. If the description itself was misleading, call them out. It's ok to have a negative opinion of a book many people loved, but give an objective review as to why. It's ok to love a book most people hated, but tell us objectively why.

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Ok, I get litrpg, but please get an editor

Revisado: 12-17-18

First off, please know that I am writing this as a fan of rpg and the conceit behind the litRPG genre. I've been playing rpg for more than 30yrs, a boring traditionalist sticking mainly to DnD/TSR/WotC, and still meeting with my grade school DM every now and then to check in on a character of mine that basically became a lawful evil god of the undead by the time we were done with him and he now uses for campaigns he runs till now. Unlike many of the low score reviewers, I'm fine with stats etc since if we were sitting around a dining room table playing a game, eating, drinking and fighting battle after battle, we would in fact stop to hear all of this from the DM or at least look them up ourselves in various guide books we have.

My problems with the book begin with the fact that so much of the of 40+ hours was only stats or the same things repeated again and again and again: another heartfelt speech of loyalty between characters, another description of a character's secret smile, another professing of love for the village and the people, redundancy of pet phrases the author seems to enjoy using, another exclamation of wonder at all the cool items/loot and new abilities. It's become too mad-lib - just fill in an item or ability name here then repeat. This is stuff for the first book in a series and some quick refresher info in the first chapters of each later work to introduce or remember character traits, basic motivations and relationships etc, not for the seventh. If done well at the beginning of a series, the reader will bring all this knowledge to each reading themselves, and then follow subsequent character growth without needing the author to repeat what we already know. The stats, and again I'm fine with stats, end up taking over the narrative and bogging it down. The poor handling of stats is all on the author as other authors that I enjoy in this genre handle them more efficiently. Of course I recognize that I'm only doing the audio books. If I were reading the print versions this might be different since I could easily skip over the stat pages and come back and peruse them at my leisure.

Because of all this description that takes away from the story, it feels as if the author is more interested in writing a full DM guide, player's handbook, monster manual etc in between the stories to create The Land RPG, not just write The Land LitRPG. It's like reading some YA fiction which is trying too hard to sell the screenplay rather than tell a story.

The story itself is too much vignette and not enough progression to the main conflict. The main character also doesn't seem to be growing much except to be more ruthless. I understand side quests, but that's all this book seemed to be at times. They know they should be preparing for an epic battle against what should be an unstoppable foe, but there is never a sense of urgency or worry. I am actually fine with the somewhat glacial pacing - if you play RPG, you know that campaigns can go on for years, but you don't feel it since it's not just the game play but the fun of getting together and jumping into a fantasy world together, laughing, eating, drinking, and being silly as you brandish ridiculously strong weapon to attack over-the-top foes. When all of that is gone and it's the reader interacting passively with the story, that pacing doesn't translate well to the page unless there is actually something interesting happening on the page.

The bathroom humor, treating female characters as objects described or acted upon in purely sexual terms, the over-the-top violence, wise-cracking just to (as they say over and over again) f**k with characters... all of this takes me back to being a 13-yeal old boy and playing DnD with other 13-year-olds. This book is exactly how we played the games back then, but unfortunately it doesn't do much for me now and is often more offensive than funny. I would say that the main character doesn't sound like someone with a medical background who would bring a level of sobriety and intelligence to the main conflicts (levity and silliness are fine - just ask Adams, Holt, Moore, Pratt, Martinez...), but then I remember that the author does have a medical degree himself, so I have to assume it's just his sense of humor. I have done the right thing as a parent and introduced my daughter to RPG, and there are LitRPG books I would recommend to her; but not this one. It brings out all the stereotypes that make people think of RPG folks as juvenile, perpetually trapped in their middle school mindset, creepy nerds.

And this is the sad thing about the book. Under all the filler, redundancy, lack of editing, and trying to create a Last-Boy Scout-Bad-Boys-Die-Hard-Lethal-Weapon vibe, there is actually a good, creative, potentially moving, "cool" story with an engaging mythology hiding down there. It is that and the great Nick Podehl that keeps me coming back and hoping for the best (and yes, thank goodness Nick Podehl is such a brilliant narrator - he kept me going to the end). However, if book 8 isn't actually a book, but just another rambling 40 hrs of side quests and winning by last minute luck rather than actual ability and strategy, then it will be the last book I read in this series (and I know the main character's luck stat is high and he keeps getting luck buffs, but come on, it shouldn't all come down to luck).

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Come for the Briggs and Pratchett anecdotes

Revisado: 08-20-18

Always a fan of Stephen Briggs, and though short, there is much in this interview about himself and his work with Terry Pratchett.

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You have to hear the gorilla story!

Revisado: 08-20-18

"Flash Gordon" was the first film I was allowed to see on my own in a theater back when it first came out, and ever since then Brian Blessed has been a larger-than-life, almost mythological figure to me. Any interview, play, film that I have seen him in since never diminished the first impressions, and this interview does not disappoint.

Again, just for the gorilla story I would pay for this if it weren't free.

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Makes you want to watch a math documentary

Revisado: 08-19-18

Fascinating discussion which also shows how love of math can be just as moving an experience as any personal passion.

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I ... wonder if ...it's time....for...my nap......

Revisado: 08-19-18

I was looking forward to this interview as I have enjoyed narrations done by Toby Jones. However, this interview sounded as if he'd either just finished a nap or was getting ready for one. The pretty much monotone, sleepy feel distracted from what might have been interesting content.

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Ho Hum

Revisado: 08-19-18

I usually give these interviews five stars since they are insightful and entertaining, but this one was devoid of depth on any level; just a rambling, basic, everyday interview will a celeb. At times you could almost hear Robin Morgan trying to stay interested. Disappointing as I can't think of a role that I haven't liked when Tucci is the actor.

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Needed to be longer

Revisado: 08-06-18

This course in the end was to much of a simple survey of the period. Prof Harl attempted to cover too much in a short period of time, as such there was a lack of depth and the listener is left without a confident feeling of having understood the rise and fall of Byzantium. That being said, if one follows the syllabus and suggested readings, just like taking the course in college, all of the missing pieces are put in place. I did this, but being a busy adult it was difficult to maintain momentum. The casual listener will be challenged to get much from this.

Recommended for those who have the time and dedication to use the supplemental materials.

This course would have been better served if it were divvied up into two or three courses concentrating on each period of Byzantium so that it might feel a part of the larger Roman Empire narrative and segue better into the Western Middle Ages after the fall of Byzantium. Something similar to Daileader’s three-part history of the Middle Ages or, as a short-course example, Bartlett’s “The Italians before Italy” would have been a better structure in my opinion.

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What a good history course should do

Revisado: 08-06-18

Prof Lee does a remarkable job of making an important period of history come alive even though so much of the period is obscured due to a lack of primary sources. His presentation is well ordered and covers a large number of topics, without the listener becoming lost. The syllabus and reading list of course are helpful, but Prof Lee’s thoroughness and clear presentation means the listener can learn much just as a casual listener. I find this important as some of The Great Courses professors organize their lectures in such a way as to make the syllabus and readings essential to the understanding of the course, meaning that the lectures lack depth and clarity. Prof Lee’s lectures do not suffer this problem.

Highly recommended if you are interested in this period of history.

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Pronunciation of Chin. distracts,but good overview

Revisado: 06-21-17

If you could sum up Foundations of Eastern Civilization in three words, what would they be?
Good basic introduction

What was one of the most memorable moments of Foundations of Eastern Civilization?
I wouldn't say memorable, but Prof. Benjamin's enthusiasm for the subject was definitely felt throughout.

What aspect of Professor Craig G. Benjamin’s performance would you have changed?
At the risk of being pedantic, I REALLY wish Prof. Benjamin's pronunciation of Asian language names and terms was more consistent and accurate. I'm not asking for native pronunciation to be there, but at least show a passing knowledge of East and Southeast Asian language pronunciation norms. Knowing a few East Asian languages, I was often confused and had to wait for context clues or refer to the reference materials to see exactly who or what he was referring to. For those who don't know these languages, I imagine any pronunciation is fine since they will most likely be using the course reference materials. Thus, this shouldn't discourage the everyday student, but if you know these languages or are currently studying one of them, prepare for your ears to be pained.

Any additional comments?
I bought this to see how it faired alongside the courses and texts I used way back in the stone age when I was studying East Asian Studies and Chinese Language and Lit in university. As a general introduction, it does fairly well, and Prof. Benjamin is never boring. My gripes are just nitpicky ones on language, which distracted from my personal overall enjoyment. I am lenient with poor pronunciation coming from non-scholars of the East, but when it's your bread and butter I would expect more. The course, unfortunately, just teaches people to say the names and terms inaccurately. Again, I'm just being pedantic, enjoy and feel free to ignore me.

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